Africa: Democracy

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What measures they are taking to encourage the spread and entrenchment of multi-party democracy across Africa.

Lord Triesman: The Government actively support the spread and consolidation of multi-party democracy throughout Africa. In addition to political dialogue with individual countries and through international frameworks such as the Cotonou Agreement, we are providing practical support to improve democratic infrastructures, for example, voter registration/education, election organisation by electoral commissions and observation missions. We also support the development of legislatures, for example, by supporting committee systems, training of MPs and critical oversight bodies such as Auditor Generals' offices. Our support to strengthen the capacity of media, budgetary processes and anti-corruption efforts also contribute to better governance, identified by the Commission for Africa as the foundation for all other actions to promote development. Our support is provided by the Department for International Development country offices working in collaboration with other partner governments/civil society and donors, through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) Global Opportunities Fund and through the European Union's Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights.
	The FCO's grant-in-aid to the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) also allows us to support the UK political parties in their efforts to strengthen pluralistic democracies through partner parties and wider civil society organisations on a non-partisan basis. Africa has been identified as a priority region for WFD activities. Presently the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties are engaged in a number of projects across Africa.

Bethlehem

Baroness Tonge: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they have made about access for Christian pilgrims at Christmas to Bethlehem and its surrounding biblical sites.

Lord Triesman: Bethlehem is of unique religious and cultural significance to Christians. Restrictions on access and freedom of worship there are one of the many negative consequences of the Israeli closure regime in the West Bank.
	We have not made specific representations with regard to access for Christian pilgrims at Christmas to Bethlehem and its surrounding biblical sites. But we continue to call on the government of Israel to do all they can to ease all movement restrictions, wherever this is possible.

British Citizenship

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 26 October (WA 183–84), whether they will (a) place in the Library of the House the e-mail from the senior policy adviser at the Nationality Policy and Special Cases Unit to the Chief Caseworker for Nationality, sent on 15 December 2004; and (b) explain, with regard to the e-mail, the basis for their assertion that the provisions for acquisition of British national (overseas) status by registration were fully explained.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The e-mail referred to was a communication between officials in the Home Office relating to policy development and the handling of a particular application for British citizenship. Under Section 35 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 we are exempt from releasing information that relates to policy formulation if the public interest in withholding it outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. Information relating to private individuals is similarly protected by the Data Protection Act. On balance we believe that the e-mail referred to should not be published. The Home Office view that the provisions for acquisition of British national (overseas) status by registration were fully explained to the Indian authorities is based both on the paper documents held by the Home Office and on the recollections of officials involved in the discussions that took place in 1997–98.

Civil Partnerships: Tax Credits

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What characteristics of a relationship will bring same-sex couples within the term "living together as if they were civil partners" in the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (Tax Credits, etc.) (Consequential Amendment) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2919); and what practical guidance will be given to officials as to how this is to be interpreted in practice.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: HMRC will continue to use the "living together" test that they have applied to opposite-sex couples for tax credit purposes based on the same test used by Department for Work and Pensions. The criteria include:
	living in the same household;
	the stability of the household;
	financial support and interdependence;
	whether there are dependent children; and
	the degree of public acknowledgement.
	HMRC guidance, and training of staff, will reflect that from 5 December the definition of a couple also includes a same-sex couple.

Deputy Prime Minister's Spouse

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Deputy Prime Minister's wife has the use of an official government car or has used an official government car when not accompanying the Deputy Prime Minister; and, if so, on what occasions.

Baroness Andrews: All travel is conducted in accordance with the requirements of Travel by Ministers.

Education White Paper

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether a first edition of the Education White Paper was withdrawn after printing; and, if so, what was the cost of the first edition and the subsequent edition published on 25 October.

Lord Adonis: Five thousand copies of the White Paper were reprinted the day before publication. This was to address minor drafting errors.
	We estimate that the additional costs incurred because of the reprint are just under £23,000.
	The total cost of printing the White Paper was around £90,000.

Extradition Act 2003

Lord Graham of Edmonton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have for the future of the Extradition Act 2003 since the United States has not so far ratified the 2003 Extradition Treaty; and whether, until ratification, they will decline to extradite British subjects to the United States.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Extradition Act 2003 came into force on 1 January 2004. It was brought into effect to simplify and modernise the UK's extradition relations with all nations. Extradition between the US and UK is governed by a bilateral treaty negotiated in 1972, which will be terminated when the US authorities have ratified the new treaty, signed by the former Home Secretary and US Attorney-General on 31 March 2003. However, certain provisions of the new bilateral treaty were given effect in the UK by the introduction of the Extradition Act 2003, which came into force on 1 January 2004. For the new treaty to come into effect in full, it first needs to secure the advice and consent of the US Senate's Foreign Relations Committee. The US authorities have informed us that committee hearings are likely to begin next month. In the mean time, extradition between the UK and the USA will continue. All those who are the subject of an extradition request to the UK are protected by full and effective safeguards in the Extradition Act 2003, regardless of their nationality.

Gaza

Baroness Tonge: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they have made to the Israeli Government concerning attacks on civilian targets in Gaza by fighter jets, gunship helicopters and tanks since the withdrawal of Israeli troops; and
	What representations they have made to the Israeli Government concerning sonic boom attacks on civilians in Gaza in recent weeks; and
	What representations they have made to the Israeli Government concerning free movement of people between Gaza and Egypt.

Lord Triesman: We have serious concerns about the impact of Israel's military operations in the Occupied Territories, including recent actions in Gaza following disengagement. Israel has the right to defend its citizens from terrorism, but it must act within international law. We have called on Israel to act with restraint in response to Palestinian militant attacks, including following the Hadera suicide bombing on 26 October, and will continue to do so. Our embassy in Tel Aviv has raised with the Israeli Defence Force our concerns about the indiscriminate damage done by low-flying jets over Gaza.
	We have also held discussions with both sides on the issue of borders and freedom of movement following disengagement. Most recently, the UK, as EU presidency, participated in a visit to discuss with both sides how the EU could play a monitoring role to facilitate the opening of the Rafah crossing.

Gaza

Baroness Tonge: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they have made to the Israeli Government concerning access for Palestinians in Gaza to healthcare in Egypt when required.

Lord Triesman: Freeing up of movement between Gaza, Israel and Egypt is essential for a wide range of humanitarian reasons, including access to healthcare outside Gaza and for Palestinian economic revival. Improved access for people and goods, while maintaining security for Israelis, is crucial in creating a sense of hope for the Palestinian people.
	While we have not made specific representations to the Israeli Government concerning access for Palestinians in Gaza to healthcare in Egypt, we continue to call on the government of Israel to do all they can to ease movement restrictions, wherever this is possible. The EU, the Israeli Government and Palestinian Authority are continuing negotiations on the Rafah crossing on the Egypt/Gaza border through the offices of quartet special envoy Wolfensohn. The EU is considering with the parties a possible EU monitoring role there.

Gulf War Illnesses

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many veterans of the 1990–91 Gulf War who have claimed a war pension for what they term "Gulf War syndrome" could be affected by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal decision of 31 October in the case of Gulf War veteran Guardsman Daniel Martin.

Lord Drayson: It is not possible to put a specific figure on the number of veterans of the 1990–91 Gulf conflict who might be affected, assuming that neither side appeals the decision in the Martin case. As of 30 September 2005, we had received 6,740 claims for war pensions from veterans of the conflict against which some 6,095 awards had been made. However, not all the conditions claimed relate to service in the Gulf and, where they do, the injury or illness may not fit the tribunal's explanation of the application of the term Gulf War syndrome.

Gulf War Illnesses

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many veterans of the 1990–91 Gulf War in receipt of a war pension for diagnosed illnesses also claimed for still undiagnosed illnesses.

Lord Drayson: War pensions are not awarded for individual diagnosed illnesses and conditions but for the overall degree of disablement due to service, assessed on a percentage basis. This overall assessment takes account of all conditions that are attributable to or aggravated by service. We cannot therefore separately identify amounts paid in respect of particular claimed conditions. The information requested is not therefore available.

Hong Kong

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will place in the Library of the House the Home Office memorandum of 18 December 1984 seeking Ministers' agreement on matters related to Hong Kong legislation.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: An anonymised copy of the Home Office memorandum of 18 December 1984 will be placed in the Library of the House.

India: Citizenship

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 10 January (WA 6), why they have not yet updated Annexe H of Chapter 14 of the Home Office Nationality Instructions to reflect the coming into force of India's Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2003; and on what basis caseworkers have been determining British nationality claims from persons of Indian origin or descent in view of the absence of up-to-date advice on the provisions of Indian citizenship law.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Annexe H to Chapter 14 of the Nationality Instructions was amended to take account of these developments in Indian citizenship law on 31 March 2005. A delay occurred while consideration was being given to the implications for the processing of applications for British nationality. Applications upon which the developments in Indian law might have had a bearing remained undetermined during this period. The current version may be accessed via the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's website.

Information Security: Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Lord Harris of Haringey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which Minister has responsibility for information security in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Lord Davies of Oldham: We do not currently have a dedicated Minister for information security at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport but are reviewing the situation.

Information Security: Ministry of Defence

Lord Harris of Haringey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which Minister has responsibility for information security in the Ministry of Defence.

Lord Drayson: Responsibility for information security in the Ministry of Defence, together with other aspects of security, rests with my right honourable friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces. Further information on Ministerial responsibilities is given on the MoD website at www.mod.uk/aboutus/staff/minaf.htm.

Iraq: Elections

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps are being taken to prepare United Kingdom forces in Iraq for security arrangements for the general election due to take place in Iraq in December.

Lord Drayson: The Iraqi security forces have played a prominent role in security for both the recent referendum and the election at the beginning of the year. Security for the forthcoming general election will again see a strong focus on the Iraqi security forces in partnership with coalition forces. Accordingly the Headquarters Multi-National Division (South East) is currently developing security plans in close consultation with its Iraqi counterparts for the general elections due to take place in Iraq in December.

Monetary Policy Committee

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have any evidence that any individual appointment to the Monetary Policy Committee has had an effect on actual or implied interest rates.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: Interest rates are set by the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England at its monthly meetings. Each member of the MPC has one vote on the setting of interest rates. A record of the MPC's vote is published within two weeks of the meeting.

Monetary Policy Committee

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Answer by the Lord McKenzie of Luton on 8 November (Official Report, col. 500), whether they have any evidence that interest rate markets in the United Kingdom have since 1997 reflected "rumour, speculation and perception" rather than "economic fundamentals"; and, if so, what is this evidence.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: Long-term trends in interest rate markets are determined primarily by economic fundamentals such as the rate of economic growth. In addition, financial markets may also respond to a range of other factors in the short to medium term and will take into account all information as it becomes available to them, including: (i) data and other published information about economic developments in the UK and elsewhere; (ii) market expectations about future economic and other developments; and (iii) geopolitical events. The Government consider that the relative importance of these different factors in determining interest rate movements will vary according to circumstances.

Northern Ireland Compensation Agency

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	[An incomplete version of the following Written Answer was received and published on 10 October.]
	For each year since 1998, how much compensation has been paid to civilians in South Armagh as a result of security forces' alleged activities in the area.

Lord Rooker: The Compensation Agency has operational responsibility for administration of the statutory compensation scheme under the Terrorism Act 2000. From 1998 to the present time the agency has paid approximately £7.5 million in relation to claims identified as originating from the South Armagh area.
	The following table shows the amounts paid annually from 1998 to present.
	
		
			 Financial year Amount of compensation paid£ 
			 1997–98 34,911.00 
			 1998–99 1,016,284.75 
			 1999–2000 1,411,629.70 
			 2000–01 1,941,691.80 
			 2001–02 823,655.40 
			 2002–03 1,757,681.92 
			 2003–04 395,208.43 
			 2004–05 19,397.50 
			 2005–06 325.00 
			 Total 7,400,785.50 
		
	
	In addition to those claims dealt with by the compensation agency (NIO) the Ministry of Defence has provided the following information.
	The following figures come from headquarters Northern Ireland and are concerned mostly with helicopter damage; this includes scaring livestock, damage to crops and buildings. We break down payments by county. South Armagh can come under either Co. Armagh or Co. Down. In the main the payments for South Armagh are shown under Co. Armagh and the statistics for these are shown below.
	
		
			 Calendar Year Amount 
			 1998 £586,748.97 
			 1999 £786,183.18 
			 2000 £781,102.72 
			 2001 £514,187.24 
			 2002 £426,758.86 
			 2003 £525,847.02 
			 2004 £352,844.81 
			 2005 £264,429.03 
		
	
	The following figures come from Directorate for Safety and Claims who do not record Northern Ireland claims by area. From 1 January 1998 to date the Claims Public Liability Group paid compensation and costs to Northern Ireland claimants as follows.
	
		
			 Calendar Year Amount 
			 1998 £289,479.04 
			 1999 £290,895.78 
			 2000 £356,960.12 
			 2001 £81,374.86 
			 2002 £136,384.02 
			 2003 £23,625.00 
			 2004 £9,950.00 
			 2005 *£542,329.87 
		
	
	*to date
	These claims will have been received from members of the public who have had a dispute with members of the Armed Forces while in support of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and formerly the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC). The majority of claims will be for alleged assault, harassment or wrongful arrest, quite often at vehicle checkpoints. *Note that at least 80 per cent. of the total to date for 2005 covers one claim.

Pakistan: Country of Origin Information Service

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the Home Office Country of Origin Information Service report on Pakistan, published on 1 November, does not confirm that, contrary to guidance previously given, there are no Ahmadi police officers or administrators in Rabwah, a city whose population is 95 per cent Ahmadi, as notified to them by the Ahmadiyya community United Kingdom.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: I refer to Lords Written Answer HL1758 (Official Report, 26/10/05, WA 187). Following representations by the Ahmadiyya community UK, inquiries made by the Country of Origin Information (COI) Service through the British High Commission in Islamabad established that very few Ahmadis were represented in public and semi-public organisations in Rabwah. This information was received after the cut off date (1 September) for material for inclusion in the October 2005 COI reports. It will therefore be reflected in a forthcoming COI bulletin on Pakistan.

Police Intelligence

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which organisations, agencies and consultants they have employed to date in the development of a national police intelligence system.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Forty-three police forces in England and Wales are actively engaged in the programme as well as the following agencies providing direct support: the Criminal Records Bureau; Centrex, including the National Centre for Policing Excellence; Office of Government Commerce; the Police Information Technology Organisation; and the Association of Chief Police Officers. The programme is also utilising a broad range of consultancy services to provide specialist skills.

Prisoners: Reoffending

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the most recent figure for persons in HM prisons in England and Wales as a result of recall from licence; whether the total has fluctuated in recent years; if so, by how much; and what are the average and median periods spent on recall before eventual release.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The total prison population who were recalled from licence was 4,095 at week ending 21 October 2005, as recorded on the central Prison Service IT system. Comparable information on the recalled population for earlier years and the average and median periods spent on recall before eventual release is not centrally available.

Questions for Written Answer

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked the Leader of the House:
	What is the average response time for Written Questions answered by (a) the Northern Ireland Office; (b) the Scotland Office; and (c) the Wales Office.

Baroness Amos: During this Session of Parliament, the average response time for the Scotland Office has been 13 days and the average response time for the Wales Office has been 12 days.
	Response times for the Northern Ireland Office are not held.

Schools: Performance Comparisons

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What were the school performance comparisons for Northern Ireland, England and Wales for the four years since 2001–02 in respect of school-leavers who achieved (a) two or more A-levels; (b) five or more GCSEs A* to C; and (c) no GCSEs.

Lord Adonis: The figures showing A-level and GCSE and equivalent achievement in Northern Ireland, England and Wales between 2001–02 and 2003–04, the latest comparable year available, are as follows.
	
		GCE A-level, GCSE and equivalents achievement—time series
		
			  2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 
			 Proportions achieving
			 Two or more A-Levels1,2
			 Northern Ireland 43.4% 92.4% 92.0% 
			 England 37.6% 89.7% 92.0% 
			 Wales 30.6% 93.9% 94.9% 
			 
			 5 or more GCSEs and equivalent at Grades A*-C3 
			 Northern Ireland 58.7% 58.8% 59.5% 
			 England 51.6% 52.9% 53.7% 
			 Wales 50.5% 51.1% 51.4% 
			 
			 No GCSE and equivalent passes3 
			 Northern Ireland 4.4% 4.3% 3.8% 
			 England 5.4% 5.2% 4.1% 
			 Wales 7.6% 7.5% 7.4% 
		
	
	Source: Department for Education and Skills; National Assembly for Wales; Department of Education, Northern Ireland
	Notes:
	1 Including Vocational Certificates of Education (VCE) and equivalent.
	2 For 2001–02, figures are based on pupils in schools and students in further education institutions aged 17-18 at the start of the academic year in England, aged 17 in Wales and aged 16-18 in Northern Ireland, as a percentage of the 17 year-old population. For 2002–03 and 2003–04, figures are based on the proportion of candidates aged 16-18 in England (schools and FE institutions) and Northern Ireland (schools), and aged 17 in Wales (schools) who achieved two or more A-levels or equivalent.
	3 Pupils in their last year of compulsory education (i.e. aged 15 at the start of the academic year). Including GNVQs in England and Wales. The England figures for 2003–04 also include the wider range of approved pre-16 qualifications.

Speed Cameras

The Earl of Shrewsbury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Under what circumstances the costs of provision and operation of safety cameras can be met from speeding fines.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Only safety cameras operating within the national safety camera programme can be funded from speeding fines.
	The Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001, Section 38 "Unified power for the Secretary of State to fund speed cameras etc" provides the Secretary of State with the powers to fund safety cameras. The national safety camera programme allows partnerships formed of police forces, highway authorities and magistrates courts to reclaim the costs of the deployment and operation of safety cameras, and the detection and enforcement of offences detected by cameras, from the related fines, provided that criteria set out in the Handbook of Rules and Guidance for the National Safety Camera Programme for England and Wales have been adhered to. This money is over and above local authorities' road safety funding and means that the safety camera programme can produce real road safety benefits paid for by offenders rather than through public expenditure.

World Trade Organisation: European Union Votes

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many votes the European Commission has at the World Trade Organisation; what proportion this is of the total number of votes available; and whether they will provide a breakdown of the total number of votes.

Lord Triesman: There are 148 members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Each member of the WTO is entitled to one vote. The European Community and all 25 EU member states are members of the WTO. Article IX(1) of the WTO Agreement specifically provides that, where the European Community exercises its right to vote, it shall have the number of votes equal to the number of member states which are members of the WTO, that is, 25 votes, approximately 17 per cent of the total number of votes. The European Commission does not have a vote in its own right in the WTO.

Youth Justice Board: Use of Restraint

Baroness Stern: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which consultants the Youth Justice Board has employed in the past five years to give advice on the use of restraint in secure training centres.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The consultants engaged by the Youth Justice Board to provide advice on restraint and behaviour management in secure training centres are listed below. Panel of experts commissioned to review physical control in care techniques: Professor Susan Bailey, consultant child and adolescent forensic psychiatrist; Dr Heather Payne, consultant paediatrician in community child health; Mr Steve Hart, lead inspector, Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI); Mr Barry Walker, restraint training manager, Durham County Council; Dr James Hunter, consultant trauma and paediatric orthopaedic surgeon; Dr Mike Lindsay, Office of the Children's Rights Director, CSCI. Advice on wider issues relating to physical control in care and behaviour management: Mr Anthony Bleetman, consultant in accident and emergency medicine, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital; Mr Peter Boatman, former police officer and expert in restraint issues (Mr Bleetman and Mr Boatman are both Law Society registered expert witnesses.). General advice on restraint and behaviour management: Mr David Waplington, former prison governor.